System and Network Engineer
Job DescriptionJob Description
Job Title: Network & Systems Engineer
Department: Professional Services
Reports To: Director of Technology
FLSA Status: Exempt
Summary
At Ardent IT Solutions, we pride ourselves on being a team-oriented company made up of passionate technical professionals who support small to medium-sized businesses across the region. Our culture is built on collaboration, adaptation, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service.
While we offer flexibility around scheduling and personal needs, this is not a hybrid role. We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a team setting on-site at our St. Charles office and at customer locations, including downtown St. Louis.
Despite being a small company, we offer benefits packages that rival larger organizations, including:
- 401(k) with company matching
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid vacation and holidays
We are seeking dedicated and experienced candidates for a full-time Network & Systems Engineer position to join our growing team. This role requires a strong foundation in both systems administration and network infrastructure implementation and support, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Design, configure, and maintain Microsoft Windows server environments, including Active Directory, application, web, file, and database servers.
2. Manage server and network storage using direct attached storage, NAS, and SAN technologies.
3. Implement and support virtualized environments using Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware vCenter.
4. Deploy and maintain network infrastructure equipment including routers, switches, firewalls, SD-WAN appliances and load balancers from vendors such as Cisco, Meraki, Sonicwall, Fortigate, Ubiquiti and Exteme.
5. Create and maintain documentation for internal and customer use.
6. Collaborate with customers to understand and address their technology needs, providing consultation and support.
7. Coordinate with vendors to identify and implement hardware, software, and cloud-services solutions.
8. Troubleshoot and resolve issues across workstations, servers, networks, and other devices.
9. Evaluate IT products and services for internal use and customer recommendations.
10. Participate in an on-call rotation and provide flexibility with work hours based on customer needs.
11. Maintain accurate time tracking for billing and internal reporting.
Qualifications:
We are seeking highly skilled and motivated technicians with a strong background in both systems and network infrastructure. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
· Strong understanding of network security best practices
· Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
· Systematic approach to troubleshooting and resolving technical issues
· Proven ability to work efficiently in a team-oriented setting
· Contribution to technical aspects of project delivery, including planning and risk management
A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in most of the following areas is required:
· Systems Experience
o Windows Server OS Administration
o Server Virtualization: VMware vCenter, ESXi, and Hyper-V
o Active Directory management
o Microsoft 365 ecosystem including Entra ID, Intune, and Defender for 365
o Security software expertise:
§ EDR Solutions: SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, Defender for Endpoint
§ Management and MFA: Duo, Okta
§ DNS Filtering technologies
o Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools
o Spam Filtering and Email Archiving platforms: Appriver, Mimecast, and Proofpoint
· Network Experience
o Strong experience installing, configuring, and maintaining network services, equipment, and devices
o Proven experience with Cisco, Meraki, Ubiquiti, and Extreme switching
o Security appliance and SD-WAN experience with hardware from Palo Alto, SonicWall, Ubiquiti, and Fortinet
o Familiarity with static routing, and protocols such as BGP and OSPF
o Solid understanding of subnetting, VLANs, VLAN tagging, and NAT
o Strong experience configuring site-to-site and client VPN
Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Math Ability:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree (B. A. / B. S.) from four-year college or university; and five years or more related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Specialized Training and Certifications:
Technical training and / or certifications through industry leading hardware and software manufacturers are desired, including but not limited to the following:
· CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+
· Microsoft Server, Desktop and Cloud
· Citrix App & Desktop and Networking (Netscaler / ADC)
· VMware Data Center Virtualization and Cloud Management
· Cisco Entry, Associate and Professional
· Palo Alto Foundation, Generalist and Specialist
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
· Time management skills and the ability to accurately document tasks.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to regularly work with in a team environment and with all levels of users.
· Ability to work with all levels of management (internal and external) to provide guidance and recommendations for technology related goals and products, how best to implement them and which vendors to build relationships with.
· Strong project and team leadership qualities are necessary, including the capability to effectively manage multiple projects and other tasks simultaneously.
· A focus on the quality of work provided, including a customer’s satisfaction with the delivered product or service.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and work in high, precarious places.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Company DescriptionFamily oriented company that provides great service to our clients in a comfortable setting.Company DescriptionFamily oriented company that provides great service to our clients in a comfortable setting.